WE HEAR YOU – Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald listens to a Hyannis resident speak about conditions in the “Trees” neighborhood

Hyannis neighbors get boost from meeting with police

The neighbors had serious faces as they entered the police department’s conference room Dec. 1, but some of them couldn’t help smiling a bit. The large turnout meant they weren’t alone in their concerns about the “Trees” streets in Hyannis, and in their hope that something could be done.

More than 40 residents of the “Trees” – Chestnut, Cherry, Elm, Linden, Locust, Maple, Mulberry, Oak, Spruce and Walnut – met with Police Chief Paul MacDonald and Sgt. Sean Sweeney to tell them how they’ve fought to maintain their neighborhood, and what more they’re willing to do.

By meeting’s end, offers to form a neighborhood watch had attendees talking with each other about being the police department’s eyes and ears – and the men in blue were promising attention to problem areas, especially Ridgewood Park between Locust and Oak.

Another meeting will be held at the station Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. to compare notes and measure progress.

“It’s been off the graph,” neighborhood organizer Mary Richmond said of the response. “My phone did not stop ringing. Everybody is totally psyched.”

At this week’s meeting, MacDonald rejected any notion of Hyannis being “crime-ridden. Hyannis has really turned around.” He spoke of how the community living around Sea Street and Nautical Way came together with police after recent criminal activity there, and said that relationship could be an example for residents of the Trees.

When it was their turn to speak, the neighbors were blunt. One spoke of cars flying down Linden Street at 50 mph, of finding syringes near areas where children play in the park, of apparent drug deals being conducted there.

Residents spoke of cars with no apparent connection to the neighborhood being parked there, of a familiar figure making the rounds on a bicycle who seemed to be checking out who was home at what hours, and other signs of potential criminal activity.

“We don’t dare go out at night,” said a woman who has lived in the neighborhood with her husband for 63 years. When the chief asked how many others felt that way, more than half raised a hand.

Richmond noted problems with a former illegal camp behind the Cape Cod Synagogue’s property off Winter Street. She said she believes people use the wooded area for drinking.

Another neighbor talked about problems in a house that has been foreclosed, with the owner apparently walking away. Two groups, unfriendly to each other, live there and create problems. Sweeney said the department was aware of the situation and was trying to deal with it, adding that there are houses like that throughout the town.

The chief and sergeant said they’d get right on replacing stolen stop signs, the absence of which encourages speeders.

MacDonald complimented the residents for turning out, and for their desire to act, but he offered some cautions, too.

“If you see a problem, I do not want you to intervene,” he said. “I want you to call us. If you’re in trouble, call 911.”

Reports of suspicious activity can be phoned in to the dispatcher at 508-775-0387, ext. 8, MacDonald said.